ROOKIE NATION

CHILD PROTECTION & CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY

Rookie Nation is committed to protecting children attending our programs, camps, clinics, academies, events and activities, and any other children with whom our Territory Managers, coaches, leaders, employees, contractors and volunteers come into direct contact.

Rookie Nation strives to provide a child-safe environment at all times. This policy aims to provide clear expectations and certainty about acceptable standards of behaviour when working with children.

This policy supports all Rookie Nation staff, coaches, Territory Managers, contractors and volunteers to work in a way that promotes the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children at all times.

This Policy is to be read in conjunction with all relevant Rookie Nation policies, procedures and guidelines to form the Rookie Nation Child Protection Framework.

CODE OF CONDUCT

All Territory managers, employees, coaches, contractors and volunteers of Rookie Nation must abide by this Code of Conduct, which requires them to:

Conduct themselves as positive role models for children.
Read, understand and comply with Rookie Nation policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children.
Follow all relevant local, state and national laws and regulations relating to working with children, including applicable Working With Children Check, mandatory reporting and reportable conduct obligations.
Respect the rights, background, culture and beliefs of all children.
Provide adequate supervision of children in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, industry standards and Rookie Nation procedures.
Safeguard children at all times and never place a child at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm.
Never condone or encourage behaviour by children that is unsafe or places themselves or others at risk.
Treat all children with respect and dignity and never show unfair differential treatment or favour particular children to the exclusion of others.
Avoid one-on-one situations with children wherever reasonably possible by ensuring another staff member, coach, volunteer or children are present. If an unavoidable one-on-one situation arises, communicate the circumstances to another appropriate staff member.
Always act in the best interests of children.
Avoid unnecessary or potentially harmful physical contact with children. Physical contact may occasionally be necessary for safety, coaching or wellbeing; however, such contact must always be appropriate, professional and proportionate to the circumstances.
Never allow children to sit on staff, coach or volunteer laps.
Encourage children to carry out tasks of a personal nature, such as toileting and dressing, independently wherever age and circumstances allow.
Take appropriate care when participating in or supervising sports, games, drills and physical activities to ensure activities do not create unnecessary risks of harm or injury.
Consider each child's age, physical and emotional development, ability, illness, injury, disability or special needs when planning and supervising activities.
Follow relevant Rookie Nation risk assessments, safety procedures and activity guidelines.
Never physically punish a child.
Ensure any physical restraint of a child is only used when necessary to protect the child or another person from immediate physical harm and is consistent with applicable legislation, industry standards and Rookie Nation procedures.
Use language that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child.
Never engage children in confusing, inappropriate or age-inappropriate discussions involving sexual, discriminatory, violent or otherwise inappropriate content.
Never use words or actions intended to threaten, intimidate, shame, humiliate, belittle, embarrass or degrade a child.
Maintain professional, appropriate and courteous relationships with children and their families and never exploit a position of trust, authority or influence.
Wherever possible, minimise the use of personal communication devices while supervising children unless their use has been approved, is required for work purposes or is necessary in an emergency.
Only photograph or record children where appropriate, for legitimate Rookie Nation purposes and where the necessary consent has been obtained from the child and/or their parent or guardian, in accordance with Rookie Nation policies.
Never expose children to inappropriate imagery, websites, videos or other material.
Use social media appropriately and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children and their families.
Not engage in inappropriate social networking or private online communication with children under 16 years of age who have attended Rookie Nation programs or events, or with their siblings.
Be aware of and appropriately respond to specific health, medical, dietary, behavioural or accessibility requirements of children in our care.
Administer medication to children only in accordance with Rookie Nation's medication procedures and applicable legislation and regulations, and where appropriate authorisation and documentation has been provided.
Never attend work affected by illegal drugs or alcohol.
Never consume alcohol or illegal drugs while working at, attending or participating in a Rookie Nation program, camp, clinic, academy or event.
Never supply alcohol, illegal drugs or other prohibited substances to children.
Not attend work adversely affected by prescription or other medication where that impairment may place children or others at risk.
Not smoke or vape while on duty or in areas where children are present.
Declare any secondary employment, coaching, mentoring, babysitting or other work involving children who attend Rookie Nation programs or events where required by Rookie Nation policy.
Declare any significant out-of-work contact with children or families first met through Rookie Nation where such contact may create a conflict of interest, professional boundary concern or child-safety risk.
Immediately report any concerning staff, coach, volunteer or participant conduct towards children, or any suspected risk of harm to a child, to the appropriate Rookie Nation Camp Director, Program Director or Head Office representative.
Ensure any suspected breach of this Code of Conduct is reported promptly to the appropriate Rookie Nation representative.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Rookie Nation is committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe, respected, supported and included.

We recognise that child safety is the responsibility of everyone involved in Rookie Nation.

Our coaches, staff, volunteers, athletes and families all have a role to play in creating an environment where children can:

PLAY WITH CONFIDENCE. DEVELOP WITH PURPOSE. GROW WITH RESPECT. BELONG TO A TEAM.

Rookie Nation will take all concerns relating to the safety and wellbeing of children seriously and will respond in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations and organisational policies.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

Any concern regarding the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child should be reported immediately to the appropriate Rookie Nation representative or Head Office.